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Tim,

There are some out there who take more than a passing interest in The Fossil, you are but one of them!

I am regularly approached by others and advised that Wade should cut back(read cut out) doing work for others on their Packards and concentrate on getting The Fossil completed. It's not as easy as that, first because Wade is a gentleman and wouldn't say no if he could help it. Secondly because of the stop start nature of the work required. It's often that you think you have everything ready to do something and find part way through doing it that you don't or a problem crops up that you weren't prepared for. In circumstances such as those a rethink or new or different parts are required which are often hard to find or require shipping time from overseas. This makes it a stop start process as best, consequently it gets worked on when the planets, and parts, align.

In the last year more has probably been done than the previous two years put together so progress is being made. I think the restoration has been going on for about 8 to 10 years. Probably would have been finished by now except a fire completely destroyed the finished and painted body a few years after resto started. So this is body #2 which was married with the chassis back in November 2010. And, rest assured, when work is done I will report on it.

Monday 23rd January 2012

Started to scrape the right side of the front frame rail and crossmember when Wade arrived carrying the donor mainshaft. However the retaining collar wasn't off! Much of it had been turned away but not all the way through. Apparently things had started to rotate in the lathe at that point and it couldn't be cut any further. Wade thought there was a possibility the shaft might be able to be pushed through seeing there wasn't much metal left on the collar, but it wasn't to be. So into the ute and off to see Les at the Gearbox Factory. However arriving at the Gearbox Factory Les wasn't there, but was expected back soon. Turns out, after waiting for a while and after a call to Les, that instead of Ashbury he'd gone to Asquith and wouldn't be back any time soon. Les did get Col to come and attend to Wade's requirements and, after explanation and discussions, the mainshafts and other parts were left with him. Turns out Col used to work at Graden Gears where, about 45 years ago, I had the axle shafts for my dragster shortened for it's narrowed rear end. Apparently the rail and it's narrowed rear end is still going strong, running in the Nostalgia Drags here a couple of times a year, so I discovered about 12 months ago.

Back at the workshop, after helping Wade position and align the lift arms, Big Red went up on the hoist. Big Red received an undercar inspection for amongst other things squeaks from the rear, possibly the rubber spring hanger bushes, and the bane of Wade's life, oil leaks. The front wheel bearings and the brakes all round were also adjusted. So, while Wade was otherwise occupied, I returned to Junior and the front crossmember. After about 3 hours with a scraper and wire brush the right side now resembles the left side, being a whole lot cleaner. Pre paint preparation with Marine Clean and Metal Ready still needs to be done prior to applying the POR-15.

On the way to the Gearbox Factory Wade said he'd had a call from Kangaroo Island on Saturday. Now Kangaroo Island is where the Packard Automobile Club of Australia(PACA) had it's National Rally in 2010. It's also where PACA member RobT is at present so Wade answered the call with "Hello Rob". Except it wasn't! Was a stranger who lives on the island and had purchased Old Blue from Dave and Shelley. The guy had seen the Packards there during the Rally and had taken note of them. The guy had rang to tell Wade he'd driven Old Blue from Queenslands Gold Coast to the island, a distance of about 1,350 miles(2,170kms) without any troubles, didn't use any oil and didn't overheat and was very pleased with it. Although it didn't overheat, it did get hot at times but Wade was able to reassure him that's in the nature of 120's and to be expected. Then, about half an hour later, Wade DID receive a call from a very excited RobT telling him he'd just seen Old Blue in the main street on the island!

Now speaking of Dave and Shelley, I'd sent Dave a note a few days ago inquiring, if the '39 Twelve had landed and was it home yet? Received a somewhat cryptic reply of "....Whatever Barry Smith tells you about our 12, tow ropes, cops and a serious depletion of his personal 12 spare parts inventory is utter rubbish...." Well a reply like that only whetted my appetite so I flicked it onto Barry who replied "....No truth to the rumour, that David had problems. The rope on the front is purely decorative....." with a picture attached. However today Wade spilled his guts over the whole sorry affair. Isn't there something along the lines of: if two or more people share a secret it's not really a secret? And tonight a call from Barry who advised Dave's mobile phone had travelled to Kangsaroo Island inadvertently so I wasn't going to get a reply from Dave to the message I left. Dave and Shelley had heard on Thursday that the Twelve was at the importers at Belmont. Plan was a leisurely drive down the next day to pick it up. But......apparently Dave and Shelley couldn't sleep, doubt either that I could in those circumstances, and set out at midnight and drove the 445 miles(717kms) arriving Friday morning. Then, after arranging the necessary registration/permits, commenced the drive to Barry's place at Tamworth, about 187 miles(301kms) only to have a vapor lock problem so spent an overnight stay at Singelton. Next day more problems were encountered on the way at Wallabadah about 30 miles(50kms) from Tamworth. Because Barry had been expecting them and they didn't show he set out on a mission of mercy and was able to lend enough assistance to get them to his place. Three days were then spent installing a new electric fuel pump, bypassing the troublesome mechanical one which was the cause of the latest woes. A number of other things were attended to which Barry didn't elaborate on but he did say the Twelve has an excellent body with absolutely no rust and the wood is perfect. Following all that Dave and Shelley then set out this morning to drive home, a distance of about 370 miles(595 kms) with instructions from Barry to call from Armidale about 70 miles(112kms) north. Leaving early in the morning Barry figured he should hear about mid morning or a little later. Well time went, and went, and went and finally a call at 2pm from Ballina, about 308 miles(495kms) north and on the coast. Dave and Shelley had pushed on and decided to stop there overnight with the run home tomorrow. Although that's not the full story, I dare not repeat all I heard because there could be serious repercussions if it became public. Just let me say this, go back and review Dave's statement then let your imagination loose, I will say no more!

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Tuesday 24th January 2012

The pre-POR15 cleaning and preparation process on Juniors front frame rails and crossmember mostly occupied my time while at the workshop for a couple of hours this morning. A messy process with Marine Clean, then water, then blow dry with air, then metal Ready, then water and again blow dry with air. Had to wait after applying the Marine Clean and Metal Ready to give them time to do their jobs. All is ready now for POR15 tomorrow. Also cleaned up a very specific looking hand made clamp which was passed onto Wade by one of the guys who comes into the workshop. Don't know if it'll ever be used but at least it'll be be protected and look pretty.

At first, while I was doing that, Wade took Big Red around to Tyre and Wheel Company and left it with them. Yesterday, while up on the hoist, some uneven wear was noticed on the front tyres. Wade is getting T & W Co to measure up what the setup is a present then, depending on what is found, going from there. With nothing further able to be done on Junior Wade then turned to The Fossil. Do I hear a round of applause out there? First he tested then fitted a bulb, from the four bought off eBay, to the Signal Stat turn indicator unit. Wade then fitted the chrome 'collars' to each side of the windscreen opening moulding. For this, at least for the right side one, I was co-opted into play to provide some leverage to align the holes so Wade could get the screws into place. Then shortly before I was due to leave Wade received a call from the Gearbox Factory. They have some concerns and questions about the mainshaft and parts, which Wade thought was better off discussing with them face to face, with the parts at hand. So Wade took off too, but with strict instructions for a full update tomorrow.

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Looking forward to the future update on the Fossil. I'll stay tuned!

Wednesday 25th January 2012

Seem to have had a lot of short days at the workshop recently, well this was another one! No sooner had I arrived, than I was whisked off in Big Red because the mainshaft was ready to be picked up. When Wade went over yesterday they'd just about done it all, but needed to run things past Wade about securing the gears on the shaft. Wade's idea had been that the groove at the front of the mainshaft would be machined for a large circlip/snap ring with a spacer between it and the gear set on the shaft. Turned out the Gearbox Factory took a slightly different approach by machining and fitting the large circlip/snap ring hard against the gear set with the spacer on the outside of the large circlip/snap ring. The spacer is machined with the same profile as the collar which was removed, looks very nice. The Gearbox Factory also glass bead blasted the shaft and the gear sets on them and fitted a sleeve to the worn front bearing surface, looks like a new 'un.

Back at the workshop wasn't able to do the POR-15'ing of Juniors front chassis and shocks because I'd run out of time. Instead caught up with what Wade had accomplished yesterday on The Fossil. Finished fitting the windscreen surround moulding and the hardware involved as well as mounting the moulding above the windscreen and the bezels for wiper motors in it. Looks like the POR-15'ing will now be on Monday because tomorrow is a public holiday, Australia Day, and I won't be in on Friday after donating blood plasma.

And received an email from Dave last night which in part said: "...Larry (from the USA) has emailed advising the sale offer of the Barrymore limo. It is a 1 off vehicle, modified by Packard for Barrymore....Thought it might interest someone in Oz through your channels...." and included part of an email from LarryP "...I am going to sell my 1938 Packard 12 Limousine. I bought a 1937 Seven Passenger 12 Sedan at Scottsdale last weekend. I am partial to 1937's and that's the only year I want as I have two complete 1937 12 Limousines that I can use for parts. One is very restorable but probably will never be restored due to the high cost vs. value of the finished car. I reluctantly am selling my '38 as I don't have room for it and I need the funds to use for the '37 I bought. The '38 is a super tour car and needs nothing. I could jump in it right now and go on a 1000 or more mile trip. It has radials and overdrive. It has just had an engine overhaul with modern rod bearings. I have driven the car on several Caravans with no problems. The original owner was the film actor Lionel Barrymore. I haven't set a price yet but it will be reasonable. I thought you might have an Aussie friend who would be interested...." So, if anyone is interested?

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Hey Mal, a belated happy Australia Day. But, try and be more kind to your Prime Minister.

(o[]o)

Quote:

What's with the rough stuff anyway. I always thought Australians were civilized and genteel. Not like the English at a football match or the rabble-rousers we have here.

Don't condone what happened but there are elements in every society who express themselves in robust ways or rebel against authority.
Aussies are no different!

Mal, well said.

(o[]o)

Saturday 28th January 2012

Not a workshop activity but, with this Blog being a catch all, will suffice for this.

Being Secretary of the Aussie Packard Club(PACA) one of my duties is to clear our Post Office Box of mail. This is usually done on a weekly basis, because PACA doesn't receive a great volume of mail. However recently PACA's membership renewal notices were sent out and DavidM, our Membership Secretary included a request in the renewal notice that he wants to be swamped with renewals before March because he'll be away for most of that month, more of that later. Well, from the mail flooding into the PO Box, it looks like PACA members have responded enthusiastically to his request so I've been clearing the box on a daily basis. And in order to pass the renewals on to David I took about 30 of them to his place today. Earlier in the week I'd emailed him that I was going to do that and he responded he'll be home and to call in instead of dropping them into his mail box. Didn't need to be asked twice, as there's always something happening at David's.

Took the Coupe because it needed a run and in doing I'm pleased to say it performed well. Arrived to find David working on his '12 Maxwell in order to have it ready for it's participation in the Centennery re-creation of the first trans Australia crossing in 1912. Some years ago David learnt of this adventure and determined he wanted to be part of it. Trouble was he didn't have a vehicle that qualified, his oldest Packard dated to only 1922! That was fixed about 3 years ago when he bought a '12 Maxwell from the widow of a guy who was restoring one in the US. It was just about all done but needed some finishing touches to complete it. Best of all it was a running car with all the major work done. But since it arrived, some 3 or so years ago, David has been battling to get it right. Sure it was restored but because of the passing of the previous owner had sat for a while and major engine work needed to be done again. Shhhh, don't tell anybody, but David slipped in a pair of custom Arias pistons upping the compression from 3:1 to 4:1 in doing the work. Also had to rebuild the transmission, including a recent rebuild because the planetary system broke. Then there's the diff. David had it apart a number of times before biting the bullet and having a new crown wheel and pinion made for it. Even then there were problems and it took a couple of goes before it came close to being right. Another side to the engine dramas was getting it to run right. The original carburettor in Maxwell circles is considered little more than a decoration piece only, apparently they look good on the mantel, and not fit for automobile use. However David found a guy in Melbourne with a similar Maxwell with original carburettion who is a "guru" as far as these cars are concerned. So David took the Maxwell engine with him in the rumble seat of his '29 633 Roadster when he and Veronique went on the Packard Tour of Tasmania last year. Plan was to drop it off on the way to the Tour and pick it up a couple of weeks later on their way home. David was also able to go for a ride in the "guru's" Maxwell which runs real well. However, David's engine wasn't ready by the end of Packard Tour so David had to make a return trip to Melbourne to pick up the engine at a later date. Still wouldn't run properly so now David is thinking of using the stationary engine carb that came with and was mounted on the car. It's very advanced compared to the Maxwell one, has a choke, adjustable jet and more! The other option that David is exploring is twin, that's right TWIN, Amal motorcycle carbs! One on each Jug(Cylinder), there's a guy in Muswellbrook who does these types of conversions.

Anyway, after delivering the renewals and a bit of chit-chat David asked if I'd like to go for a ride in the Maxwell. Did I ever? Never, repeat NEVER, turn down the opportunity to ride in any old car, it may never happen again! To get the Maxwell out of the garage first it's enclosed trailer had to be moved aside. And in order to do that I had to move the Coupe to down in front of the attached garages to the house. David has a BIG garage, separate from the house, where the Maxwell and Packards are housed. Mentioning the trailer, David built that specifically for the Maxwell in order to transport it to the start point of the 2012 Centenary Expedition which is 4,000kms West. It will also serve as spares, equipment and liquids carrier as well as accommodation for the many stops, hopefully planned ones only, on the journey to Sydney. Mentioning liquids carrier, the trailer will provide tankerage for 1) water, for the Maxwell as well as David and his mate Don who is accompanying him, 2) oil, the Maxwell has a total loss oil system so needs to be monitored and topped up on a very regular basis, and 3) fuel, the route crosses the Nullarbor plain and there are other very long very sparsely inhabited stretches so they will need to carry extra fuel. Now where Was I? That's right, we moved the trailer, but somehow I got sidetracked! Upshot was we now had a clear path for the Maxwell out of the garage. So back in went the original floorboard, all the wood in the Maxwell is original, it was out because David's making a new floor to accommodate underfloor storage for the trip. Then started the Maxwell, with David at the controls and yours truely swinging the crank handle. I was mindful of kickback, employing a grip on the crank handle from my Ford Model days to minimize the risk, although David advised it's never kicked back on him. Into the car besides David, out the garage and started up David's winding steepish drive. And that's as far as went first time. Second time, after a very quick band adjustment for first, which literally took seconds and is easily accessible, same result! Next time David drove the Maxwell and I walked and we made it to the top easily. Then a ride down his access road onto the public road and about a mile or so down to the town, round a round-a-bout and back to David's. I'm now an accredited Maxwell passenger!

Back at David's, Maxwell back in garage and then inside for a cuppa and more chat. Tea and coffee were provided by Veronique, David's wife, together with delicious bikkies(Aussie slang for biscuits). Discussed the Maxwell and it's trip and the preparations David's undertaking. Also discussed my intention to visit the US this year to take in Hershey. On this front Veronique was most helpful benefiting me from the wealth of her travel experience and pointing me in the direction of a couple of websites one of which, but I've only looked at one so far, looks great. After that I bid adieu to Veronique and David but threatened promised to return next week with another swag of membership renewals as a form of passport.

I had intended to provide a link to the Veteran Car Club of Australia website about the trip, it's history and the participants but it seems to be down at present, so I had to settle for this:http://www.eventfinder.com.au/2012/apr/sydney-cbd/royal-automobile-club-1912-centenary-expedition-2012

And here's a link to the pic's I took today at Davids and the short videos of starting and riding in the Maxwell. Think you'll find them interesting:https://picasaweb.google.com/107657757915608915830/DavidMS

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